Track grinder



April 30, 1935. H, J, PERAZZOLI 1,999,943

TRACK GRINDER Filed April 22, 1933 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 April 30, 1935. H, J, PERAZZOLI 1,999,943

TRACK GRINDER Filed April 22, 1953 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 may April 30, 1935.

H. J. PERAZZOLI TRACK GRINDER Filed April 22, 1933 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 April 30, 1935. H. J. PERAZZOLI TRACK GRI NDER Filed April 22, 1933 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 April 30, 1935. H. J. PERAZZOL! TRACK GRINDER 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed April 22, 1933 H H mu.

TRACK GRINDER Filed April 22, 1933 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 fiwezzr:

p 1935. H. J. PE RAZZOLI 1,999,943

TRACK GRINDER Filed April 22, 1933 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 /ZyJO Patented Apr. 30, 1935 UNITED STATES 1,999,949 TRACK GRINDER Henry J. Perazzoli, Philadelphia, Pa; Application April 22, 1939, Serial No. 667,448 4 Claims. (01. 51-178) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in railway track grinding machines and has particular relation to machines of this general character wherein grinding is effected by reciprocating an abrasive block or blocks longitudinally on the surface of track rails. g

The principal object of the invention is to provide a'machine of the general character set forth arranged to travel on the rails tobe ground wherein the source of power operable to reciprocate the abrasive elements on the rails is available to propel the machine in its entirety from place to place along the track. p

Another important object of the invention is to provide a machine of the general character set forth having novel means operable at will conjunction with a source of motive power where.- by the machine may be driven in either direc A more specific object ofthe invention is to provide a machine of the general character setforth having an internal combustion engine equipped with the usual change speed trans-' mission comprising three speeds in one direction and one speed in the opposite or reverse direction, together with novel means operable at will to render the three speeds, otherwise available for travel of the machine in but one direction, available to propel the machine in'either direction on the track.

A further specific object of the invention re sides in the novel manner in which the shaft through which power fromthe motor is imparted to the abrasive elements to reciprocate the same is mounted with respect to the main frame of the machine together with novel means associated with said mounting to permit the position of the shaft to be adjusted for. the'purpose of taking up slack or play in the driving connections. Another object of the invention is 'to provide a machine of the general character set forth having means "operable to elevate the abrasive elements out of contact with the track rails during movement of the entire machine therealong.

The invention contemplates in addition, nu-

merous other features and novel structural .de'-' tails which are set forth hereinafter and disclosed in the accompanying drawings in which:

- Figure 1 is a view in perspective of the machine forming the subject of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a view in perspective of the machine disclosed in Fig. 1 with the body or super structure removed therefrom to better display the operable mechanisms of the machine to which the present invention'is particularly directed;

PATENT OFFICE I, 7

Fig.3'is an enlarged view in section through. the novel direction control mechanism on' line 3 3, Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is anenlarged view in section on line 4 4',Fig.3; 7 j

Fig, '5 is a view in section on line 5 5, Fig. 4;

Fig.6 isan enlarged; plan View of the central portion of the disclosure in Fig. 3, showing the relation of the various-parts of'the direction 0011+ 0 trol mechanism in the neutral position; V

-Fig. '7 'is an'enlarged fragmentary planiview showing the novel mounti'ng of and means for adjusting the intermediate drive shaft for the abrasive elements; v v

Fig. 8 is a view in side elevation ofthe disclo Fig. 9 is an enlarged detail partly in section of the mountingof the abrasive elements; and

Fig. 10 is a view similar'to the disclosure in Fig. 9 showing a modificatiohof the means for controlling the relative vertical position of the abrasive elements with respect to the track rails.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the machine comprises longitudinal and transverse-side and end frame members i and 2 respectively, and 'center sills 3. Axles 4 are mounted-below and adjacent each end of the frame 'transversely'with respect thereto, said axles 4 being mounted against springs (not shown) contained Within housings 5 secured to the main frame of the machine. Traction Wheels 6 are mounted at each end of the axles 4 beyond the sideframe members I and are arranged to travel upon the track rails 1 tube ground. In

the present instance an internal combustion en- T, and the drive. shaft 7H extends intosaid housing l0, being supportedtherein by a bearing 12., A beveled gear 13 havingteeth l4'is mounted on the end of said shaft l I. bymeans of a key l5 and arranged for rotation therewith. A shaft I6, constituting the main operating shaft of the machine, extends 'transverselythrough the center ing I0 secured to the rear end of the transmission of the housing l0 and has its ends journaled in bearings I! in brackets l'ia mounted on the side frame and sill members I and 3 respectively.

A collar I8 is slidably mounted on the shaft l6 within the housing II] by means of keys I9 which, though permitting said collar to move longitudinally with respect to said shaft, prevent relative rotation of the collar and shaft. An annular planetary or face gear is mounted at each end of the collar l8 and these gears are of such diameter that uponmovement of said collar 18 on the shaft IS in either direction, the teeth 2| of one of said gears 20 will mesh with the teeth !4 of the beveled gear l3 on the drive shaft ll.

An annular groove 22 is formed-inthe'collar l8 and arranged to receive a cam member 23,

the inner concave surface of which is doubly in the annular groove 22. The-upper or convex surface of the cam 23 is provided with aholeiZB to receive ,an eccentric pin, 21 extendingfrom the bottom of acircular bushing2 8 whichis similarly provided ,with an eccentrically positioned hole 29 in'thltop thereof to rece ive the end of a shaft 30. In the present instance apin 3!. extends diametrically through the circular bushing 28 and the lower end of the shaft 3fl for the purpose of preventing, relative rotation, of said shaft with respect to the-.-said bushing.

- A top closure member 32 for the housing i6 :is cast to include a vertical supporting sleeve 33 for the shaft andthe lower end of said sleeve portion extends inwardly of the housing I has at 34 toprevent upward movement of the bush ing 28 and disengagement of the pin 2'Iv from the hole 25in the cam 23. v V

A bracket 35 is formed integral with the cover member ,32, the purpose foiywhich will be. set forth hereinafter. A socket 36 is alsoformedintegral with said cover and is intended to slidably receive ,a pin 31 compressible inwardly-thereof againstv a spring v 38. The uppen'endof thepin 31 is arranged to engage recessesg35 formed in the under side of a stop member 40 having a sleeve 4| which is keyed to, the' shaft 30,'said recesses 39 and the stop 40 being suitably positioned circumferentially of the shaft so that the latter may be releasably held in position: when either one of the planetary gears 20 is meshed of the cam which intercepts the axis of the shaft is at an angle of approximately l4 degrees with the diameter ofthe shaft 30 whichris horizontal with respect to Fig. 4 of the drawings, and the purpose for so offsetting the cam 42 will be brought out hereinafter. i

A substantially L-shaped cam arm 43 is piv- Y otally mounted on the upper end of the cover engage the engine clutch when'thef cam. arm #3 is pivoted in a clockwise direction with respect to Fig. 5 by the cam disk 42.

As hereinbefore described, the cam disk 42 is positioned so that its diameter which intercepts the axis of the shaft 30 is disposed at an i acute angle with respect to the diameter of said shaft'horizontally with respect to Fig. 5 and the cam roller 45 contacts the periphery of the cam disk 42 at a position other than ondead center when the shaft 39 is in neutral position.

[It should be noticed that the relation of the periphery of the cam 42 with respect to the shaft 36 is such that the cam arm 43 is permittedto pivot in a counterclockwise direction to engage the clutch only when said shaft 30 is rotated, by movement of the handle 38 a quarter turn to the rigl'it'or left with respect to Fig. 5, to mesh either one ofthe planetary gears 20 with the beveled gear [3.

From the foregoing description it will be'seen that by meshing one of the planetary gears 20 with the beveled gear l3 on the shaft H, rotation of the latter will be imparted to the shaft 15 in'one direction and by meshing the other planetary gear 29 with said beveled gear l3, rotation of the shaft II will be imparted to the shaft H5 in the opposite direction.v Consequently it will be obvious that with either one of the planetary gears ,m'eshed with the beveled gear !3, the shaft liimay be driven in that particulardifrection at'each of the various speeds selected by operation of the transmission shift lever 8 in the usual manner.

Rotation of the main operating shaft I6 is imparted to one of the axles 4 to propel the machine along the railway track on the traction wheels 6, by means of a chain 59 which passes about a sprocket wheel 5| mounted on said axle and about a sprocket wheel 52 secured to a hub 53 rotatably mountedwith respect to the shaft l6 by means of bearings 53a. In the present instance one annular face of thehub'53 abuts, the adjacent face of the direction change mechanism housing I E] and movement of the hub 53 longitudinally of the shaft I6 is prevented by a tapered pin 54 which extends diametrically through an annular retaining ring 55 and the shaft 16. The outer annular face of the hub 53 'is provided with circumferential jaws 56 which constitute one member of a jaw clutch designated generally as at A,"said jaws being arranged to engage complementary jaws 57 formed on the adjacent annular face of a sleeve 58 adapted to rotate with the shaft [6 and is slidably mounted with respect thereto by means of keys59. In the present instance the jaws 51 of the sleeve 58 are moved into or out of engagement with the jaws 56' on the hub ,53 by means of a shift lever 60 pivoted as at 6| to the housing Ila which supports the bearing 11 of the shaft IS. The lower end of the lever 60 is connected by means of a :ball and socket joint 63 to a shipper rod 64 connected at its inner end as at 65 to a ring segment 66 which rides in an annular groove 51 formed in the sleeve 58.. A spring pressed pin 68 is mounted in the bracket Fla and is arranged to engage recesses (not shown) formed in the shipper rod 64 to releasably lock the shipper rod in itsextremepositionswhen the jaw clutch A is engaged or disengaged respectively. In the present instance a brake drum 6!! is mounted on the axle 4 adjacent the sprocket 5i and arranged to rate with said axle internally of a brake shoe '10 which maybe tightened about the periphery of, the drumllifi to retard rotation of the axle 4 by a brake lever II operatively connected to said shoe by rods 72. It will be obvious that when the clutch A is engaged, rotation of the shaft I6 will be imparted to the hub 53 and sprocket 52 to the axle 4.

The grinding mechanism is contained within a casing 73 slidably mounted in anyconvenient manner upon horizontal runners I4 forming part of a-bracketl'5 secured to' the underside of the side frame and sill members I and 3 at each side of the machine. One end wall 13a of the casings 73 is inclined as shown in Fig. 9 of the drawings to provide a space between abrasive elements I6 and one end of the casings for entrance of a wedge member I! to prevent rocking of said elements I6 during grinding. -A bracket I8 extends vertically from the inner wall of each casing 73 and a sleeve I9 having a threaded bore therein is fixedly carried there} by. For the purpose of adjusting the abrasive elements I6 vertically with respect to the rails I, the jack screws BI having hand wheels 82 are threaded in the sleeves I9 and connected at their lower ends to a crosshead'83 by means of a ball and socket .joint, said abrasive elements-E6 being suspended from the cross head or piece 83. by means of studs 84 imbedded in said elements.

In order to insure uniform constant pressure of the abrasive elements 76 upon the surface of the rails s a, flange 85 is threaded on the-lower end of jeachof the sleeves I9 and a coil spring inserted between said flange and the overlying web of the bracket 78.

The previously mentioned wedge members II are similarly adjustable vertically with respect to the'c'asings 13 by means of hand wheels 86 and jack screws 8! threaded in brackets 88 on saidcasing. In the present instancethe lower end portion of each wedge I7 is slotted to permit passage thereof about a-pin iiil'which extends inwardly of the inclined end wall of the casing and exerts a lateral outwardthrust against the wedge I?- by'virtue of aspring 99 compressible between theouter face of the end wall and a collar 9! on the pin '89 for the purpose of maintaining the wedge 17' snug against the end Wall 73a to prevent rattling thereof when loosely suspended within the casing. 1

A tubular bearing 92 forms part of each bracket i5 and a, stud shaft 93 is rotatably mounted therein. In the present instance a crank arm 94 having a counterbalance 95 is-fixed on the outer end of each stud 93 for rotation therewith and the crank 94 is connected to the adjacent end of the grinding casing '13 by means of a connecting rod 99 attached to said casing byv a wrist pin arrangement 97.

A sprocket 98 is fixed on the other end of each of the studs 93 and a chain $9 passes about said sprocket 9S and another sprocket Hill mounted for rotation with a shaft Ii)! rotatably supported at its ends in bearings I 62 suspended from a plate I83 releasably secured to the top of each bracket 2'5 intermediate the side frame members I and sills 3. The plate I83 is slotted at 84 to permit adjustment thereof longitudinally of the bracket '55 so that slack or play occurring in the chain 539 may be taken up and eliminated.

A sprocket I05 is fixed on the shaft NH and driven by a chain it which is in turn driven by a sprocket I3! on the main shaft I The stud 93 is driven through the connections previously described by the shaft IBI and the crank 94 and vIn the present instance thesprocket m1 is rotatably mounted onthe shaftlt and is connected to the-latter. through a jaw clutch designated generally as. at B and operated by means of a shift lever I68. The construction of the jaw clutch B and its. operation are substantially identical to that described with regard to the jaw clutch A and a detaildescription thereof is deemed unnecessary.

For the purpose of moving the entire machine from the track to a position at one side thereof, a roller I09 is mounted adjacent each corner of the frame of the, machine, and these rollers are mounted in a screwand sleeve mechanism II!) operable to permit said rollers I89 to be lowered for the purpose of elevating the machine sufficiently to raise the flanges of the traction wheels E'clear of the rails l to permit removal of the machine transversely. of the track. In the present CPI instance, the screw and sleeve mechanism H9 is rotated to raise or lower the rollers I09 with respect to the machine by means of cranks III at each end thereof and operatively connected to the lifting devices at that'end of the machine through a transverse shaft II? and beveled gears H3 and" I M respectively. 1

Operation of the jackscrews 8i and 81. to adjust the abrasive elements I6 and wedges I? respectively is very often difii'cult during reciprocation of the grinding mechanism especially at high speeds and in order that I such adjustment may bereadily made during grinding, it may be de sirable to provide the construction shown in the modification in Fig. 10 of thedrawings wherein the hand wheels 82a and 86a, do not reciprocate with the grinding mechanism as is the case when mounted in the manner disclosed in Fig. 9. As

shown in Fig. 10 the hand wheels 82a and Sta,

are fixed with respect to the machine and the operation of the internal combustion engine M is mounted on the frame of the machine adjacent one end thereof and the customary water cooling radiator IE3 is mounted adjacent the forward end of said engine M.

I24 and fuel feeding control and spark'control The engine is provided I with the usual self or automatic starting means means I25 and I26 respectively. Theentire mechanism previously described is surmounted by a body or carriage which is secured to the upper side of the main frame members of the machine and includes hand railings I21 and floor sections I28 suitably positioned to facilitate proper operation of the machine and prevent injury to the operators which'might result from contact with the rapidly moving mechanisms thereof.

In operation of the device and supposing that the machine has arrived at a location along the track where grindingof the rails is/necessary,

the direction control mechanism is in neutral position and the clutch A has been disengaged,

clutch B having been dise'ngagedpreviously during movement of the machine along the track. The abrasive elements 1'6 are then-adjusted for proper contact on the rails I by the hand wheels 82 and 83, and the clutch B is engaged bythrowing the lever I08. One of the planetary gears 20 is meshed with the drive gear l3 by turning handle 3%, to complete the connection from the motor M to the grinding mechanism, the speed of reciprocation of which may be changed by operation of the clutch 9 and change speed lever 8.

Upon completion of the grinding operation or if an approaching train necessitates rapid removal of the machine fromthe locus operandi, the direction control is neutralized by turning handle 39a, and clutch B is then disengaged and.

the elements 16 withdrawn from contact with the rails 1. Clutch A is then'engaged by throwing lever 50 and one of the gears 20 meshed with the drivinggear l3 by turning the handle 30a to complete the driving connection from the motor M to the axle 4 to propel the machine along the track. It shouldbe particularly noticed that that planetary gear 20 should be meshed with the gear 13 which will propel the machine in the desired direction along the track at the various'speeds which may be selected by operation of the shift lever 8, permitting the machine to get away rapidly at high speed by changing from 7 low, through second to high speed ratio of the transmission. 1' 7 While thepreferred embodiment of the inventionhas been set forth for the purposes of description, it is intended that certain changes and modifications may be incorporated from time to time within the scope of the annexed claims.

Attention is called to the fact that certain features disclosed herein, including features of the transmission mechanism or drive between the engine and the wheels and reciprocating grinder bricks, are described and claimed in my copending application Serial No. 686,312, filed August 22, 1933.

What is claimed is: V

1. In a track grinding machine, the combination with abrasive means and means for reciprocating the same, of means operable to adjust said abrasive means with respect to the track rails, said means including a jack screw, a hand wheel fixedly mounted on the machine independently of said jack screw, a shaft slidably mounted in said wheel and rotatable therewith, and means operatively connecting one end of said shaft with the jack screw to rotate the latter whereby the abrasive elements may be readily adjusted during reciprocation thereof.

2. In a track grinding machine, the combination with abrasive means, of a casing therefor slidably mounted with respect to the machine and having one end wall thereof disposed at an angle withrespect to the adjacent face of the abrasive means, a wedge member interposed between said face and the end wall of the casing, means operable to regulate the relative position of said'wedge inwardly of said casing to prevent movement of said abrasive means longitudinally thereof and spring actuated means extending through said wedge to hold the latter firmly against the adjacent wall of the casing.

3. In a track grinding machine, the combination withabrasive means and means for reciprocating the same, of rotatable means operative to adjust said abrasive means with respect to the track rails, a second rotatable means fixedly mounted on the machine independently of said first rotatable means, a shaft slidably mounted in said second means and rotatable therewith, and means operatively connecting one end of said shaft with the first .means to rotate the latter whereby the abrasive elements may be readily adjusted during reciprocation thereof.-

4. In a track grinding machine the'cQmbination with abrasive means and a casing therefor slidably mounted with respect to the machine, of a wedge member interposed between said abrasive means and one end wall of the casing, rotatable means operative to adjust said wedge relative to the casing, a second rotatable member mountedonthe machine independently of said first rotatable member, a shaft slidably mounted'in said second member and rotatable therewith, and means operatively connecting one end of said shaft with the first means to rotate the latter to adjust the wedge.

. HENRY J PERAZZOLI. 

